Wearable technology refers to electronic devices that can be worn by consumers to track health and fitness information. Some key statistics about wearable usage include that 1 in 5 Americans own a device, and companies are utilizing wearables to reduce healthcare costs and encourage employees to reach activity goals through incentive programs. However, many consumers also have privacy and security concerns about sharing their data through wearable devices. The widespread adoption of wearables has the potential to significantly reduce healthcare costs over the long run by remotely monitoring patients and helping researchers study diseases.

1. WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY
SCOTT ORKIN
HCAD 600 INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
SHERDEANA OWENS

2. WHAT IS WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY?
• Wearable technology (also called
wearable gadgets) is a category
of technology devices that can
be worn by a consumer and
often include tracking
information related to health
and fitness. Other wearable tech
gadgets include devices that
have small motion sensors to
take photos and sync with your
mobile devices.
(webopedia.com, nd)

3. WEARABLE STATISTICS:
• 1 in 5 Americans own a wearable device
• 44% decrease in sick days for those utilizing wearables
• 33% report abandoning the device after a year
• 56% of consumers believe the average life expectancy increases
at least 10 years because of wearables monitoring vital signs
• 46% of consumers also believe wearable technology can help
them to lose weight and maintain a more active lifestyle

4. WEARABLES IN THE CORPORATE WORLD
• BP distributed 16,000 FitBits to its employees, dropping corporate
healthcare cost well below the national growth rate.
• United Healthcare and Qualcomm Life partnered together to allow
employees to earn up to $1460 per year for reaching activity goals
• Target said it would allow teams of employees which log the most
average daily steps to collect more than $1 million for local non-
profit organizations
• Vitality group provides an Apple watch for $25, but employees “pay”
for the device completing work outs and gym visits

5. TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES
• 82% of consumers have concerns because of invasion of privacy
and another 86 percent worry that wearables make them more
vulnerable to security breaches
• Prescription medical devices will have to pass the lengthy FDA
approval process
• Devices will have to adhere to HIPAA compliance rules if
collecting and transferring patient data

6. REDUCING THE COST OF HEALTHCARE
• Over the course of 25 years, it’s estimated that wearable
technology and remote patient monitoring technologies could
cut hospital cost by $200 billion (Pennic, 2016)
• Monitoring of patient compliance can reduce return visits to the
doctor
• The collection of data from wearables will aid researchers to
examine diseases in a new ways
• Outcome based reimbursements will promote better care by
physicians

7. REFERENCES
• Beal, V. (n.d.). Wearable technology. Retrieved from from
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/wearable_technology.html
• Pennic, J. (2016, August 04). Infographic: How Wearables Are Revolutionizing Healthcare.
Retrieved from http://hitconsultant.net/2016/04/08/how-wearables-are-revolutionizing-
healthcare/
• Wearable Devices are Coming to a Doctor Near You - Corporate Wellness Magazine. (n.d.).
Retrieved from http://www.corporatewellnessmagazine.com/technology/wearable-devices-
coming-to-a-doctor-near-you/
• Zajechowski, M. (2016, April 25) How Wearable Tech is Revolutionizing Healthcare Services.
Retrieved from http://electronichealthreporter.com/11109-2/